Understanding children
Contemporary insights into development and education for everyday use
Photo: Artur Aldyrkhanov on Unsplash
Neufeld Institute Adria
Neufeld Institute Adria is an emerging regional center that brings together Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
Our mission is to raise awareness and expand understanding of the conditions necessary for the healthy and optimal development of children and adolescents. We place particular emphasis on the importance of developmentally supportive relationships between children and the adults responsible for their care. We believe that secure and fulfilling relationships are essential for children’s development and well-being. When we truly understand what children need, we are better able to stand by them, support them, and guide them. This is especially important for children who are labelled as “problematic,” overly sensitive, or whose behaviour otherwise confuses or challenges us.
Our work is grounded in the relational–developmental approach as defined by Dr. Gordon Neufeld, based on his metatheory of human development. At the heart of this approach is the understanding that development unfolds naturally and leads to the full realization of human potential when the right conditions are in place. When we understand how development is meant to unfold and what it requires, we are better able to recognize the underlying causes of difficulties and developmental blocks — or even prevent them altogether. A key strength of this approach is that, instead of offering quick fixes or instant solutions, it provides insight and understanding. Rather than focusing on symptoms, we seek to understand the root causes of difficulties, allowing for more lasting and developmentally supportive solutions.
Through education and counselling, we bring the insights of Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s developmental approach into the lives of families, kindergartens, schools, neighbourhoods, and other institutions and environments in which children and adolescents grow and develop.
We hope that our study groups, courses, lectures, and other educational offerings will be attended by parents, foster parents, teachers, educators, school counsellors, psychotherapists, and all those who are involved in caring for children or shaping policies related to their well-being.
Dr. Urška Žugelj
Director and Founder, Neufeld Institute Adria
We are preparing for you
For parents, teachers and professionals
Dr. Gordon Neufeld,
Tamara Stijack and
Eva de Gosztonyi in Slovenia
March 20 to 24, 2026
Dr. Neufeld is returning to Slovenia as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Neufeld Institute and the establishment of the Neufeld Institute Adria Regional Center. The series of meetings titled "Becoming What Our Children Need: Creating Neighborhoods of Connection for a Carefree Childhood, a Safe Future, and Healthy Communities" will take place over three days:
1: Perspective of education (20.3.2026)
2: Perspective of prevention, professional assistance and support (21.3.2026)
3: Family and Community Perspective (24.3.2026).
The events are prepared in collaboration with the ISA Institute and are intended for both professional and general public.
Foto: www.neufeldinstitute.org
Lectures for parents and professionals in VIZ
Winter - Spring 2026
In collaboration with the ISA Institute, we have prepared a set of presentations for you in the field of parenting, education and child development. We address questions such as:
- What do children need for healthy development?
- How to understand anxiety, aggressiveness or indifference?
- The secret life of preschoolers and the pitfalls of their upbringing...
- What does it mean and how to ensure a healthy attachment?
and more
Online lecture: Children need us
lecture recording
A one-hour lecture exploring why it is essential for adults to actively nurture strong connections with children, and how gaps in relationships between children and adults are linked to the growing emotional, behavioural, and learning challenges children face today.
The lecture recording is available in three different packages.
The lecture is led by Dr. Urška Žugelj.
Photo: Jez Timms on Unsplash
Photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash